Washing machine



l'l'il 29, 1952 G. c. GRAHAM Re. 23,483

WASHING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 30, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet l IN VENT OR.

BY G o/j'e C Gra/1am 1%- KM ATTORNEY.

April 29, 1952 G. c. GRAHAM WASHING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Fivled Nov. 30, 1939 INVENTOR 6e orge C.' Ghz/'1am ATTORNEY.

April 29, 1952 G, Q GRAHAM Re. 23,483'k WASHING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 30, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 5- INVEroR. @eo/ye Cf Graba/n April 29, 1952 G. c. GRAHAM WASHING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Nov. 30, 1939 ffy. 8.

. INVENTOR George C G'raam BY/ 7 ATTORNEY.

April 29, 1952 G. c. GRAHAM Re 23,483

WASHING MACHINE` Original Filed Nov. 30, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 i l 398 4oz 399 39m D 398 3; 3;; a 353 OPEN mv 354 Jann 354 1 Q 19 354 355 2 s .m .an 35 Waf FIL/.rh /P/'rlsc IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

G. C. GRAHAM WASHING MACHINE original-Filed Nov. 3o, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 mm ha O vm w mG.A C e 9W B |-|Z April 29, 1952 G. c. GRAHAM Re- 23,483

WASHING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 30. 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTOR.

eorge C Grd/iam BY ATTORNEY.

Reissue'd Apr. 29, V.195,2

WASHING MACHINE George C. Graham, Ridgewood, N. J., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Graham d; Barker, Ridgewood, N. J., a limited partnership Original No. 2,407,660, dated September 17, 1946. ySerial-No. 306,797, November 30, 1939. Application for reissue September 15, 1947, Serial No.

33 Claims. (C1. 8B12) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in the original patent but forms no part of this My invention relates to washing machines or devices, exemplified herein asapplied for household laundry purposes, and more particularly to improvements in'such machines, as well as to sequence steps of operation and control thereof.

In devices of this character heretofore suggested, many factors have entered into the problem of rendering them simple, effective, economical and more desirable over a wide fleld of use,

among which are such elements as water supplies of different and varying pressures and flow in different and in the same localities, the character and times of agitation which different clothes should have, the construction of various parts of the machines.'the particular manner of flushing and drying the clothes, the number, mounting and operation of power units for operating and controlling the machines. and many other features which must be' properly combined and operated together to produce a machine that is efficient,` easy to use, and free from trouble. Accordingly, the advance of the art has resulted in the suggestion of many expedients, from the earliest hand operated machines through the era of power operated machines, requiring manual control of each step, followed by somewhat complex attempts at automaticcontrol of power operated units, taking the character of segregated single-step attempts at diiferent parts of a sequence; later purporting to sustain a certain succession of steps constituting less than a required number; and finally, being applied even to the latter, whereby all of the steps, beginning with the dry clothes and ending with the clothes washed and dried, or partially dried, were effected without attention, but not satisfactorily.

With such attempts and concept, many complications arose, such as intricate mechanical arrangements, delicate control means, such as electrical switches, relays and the like. and other features which, although sometimes producing a general result of the kind sought, are sources of trouble in manufacture and use, cause stoppages inthe course of the attempted automatic cycle,

are dimcult, if not impossible, for the average,

user to repair, are expensive, and have other disadvantages.

It is among the objects of my invention to overcome such deficiencies. and to produce a `machine in which all operations essential to quick, effective washing, flushing, rinsing and drying of clothes are effected in automatic succession. in a simple, trouble free and economical manner.

Another object of the present invention sis to reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates theadditions made by reissue.

have certain of these steps overlap each other, thereby introducing a very novel feature in the machine and the method of cleaning clothes in the way of increasing emciency, conserving time. energy. expense, wear on machine parts, and other advantageous results.

Another object of the invention is to compensate for variable factors affecting the operation of the machine, such as the water pressure at a particular locality where the machine is to be employed, as by varying the movement of a timing or control element for regulating the sequence steps.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel adjusting and index means, together with an interlock, individually and in combination,

whereby the motor for operating the timing element must be deenergized, or the timing element otherwise disconnected from its drive before such adjustment may be made.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel circulation of water, and novel movement of clothes, in a, washing machine, whereby to effect better interchange of position of the water and clothes, as between the bottom and top of a tub, to ensure .effective cleaning, incident to which are the provision of novel agitator or baille means, a particular Water inlet, and other elements.

Another object of the invention is' to provide a top construction for a washing machine of the upright tub type, that is novel in the provision of a uid conduit structure for-feeding water into the top of the tub, in a part of such structure in which the conduit' constitutes substantially a hinge between the tub lid and a housing for the tub. in a screen at the inner side of the lid toward which the clothes are moved for flushing, and against which they are pressed for drying, and

in certain elements of the screen, the lid and the tub top for conducting the water out of the tub, cleaning the screen. and other operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dryer of the diaphragm type that advantageously, and in novel manner, is molded to conform to agitator means in the tub, that has novel mounting in the tub. that, upon expansion of the diaphragm, increases a sealing effect between v Re. 23,483V

aimes novel arrangement for supplying iiuid for '-oper-l ating a diaphragm within the tub, as by pro.- viding a horizontal-plane spiral conduit which 4at the same time conserves space, as between a movable tub and a stationary housing in which the tub is disposed. thereby'to reduce theoverall height and size of the machine.

Another object of thepresent invention isto provide mechanism and a control whereby agitation of the clothes and water is had in the Acourse of a iiushing operation and also a rinsing operadrying are automatically and sequentially carf ried out in the tub, so that at the conclusion of the cycle the operator removes the cleaned clothes in so-called dry" condition.

With such objects in view, as well as other advantages which may be incident to a utilization of the improvements, individually or in combination, the invention comprises the elements, steps and combinations thereof herein set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements constituting the same may be varied in proportion, arrangement and texture, without departing from ythe spirit and scope of the invention as intended, and as set forth in the drawings, speciiication and claims.

In practicing the invention, the broad method and structure on which it is based include, in one form, the steps, and means for carrying the steps into practical eii'ect, of washing, starting a flushing action before agitation of the clothes stops, stopping agitation, continuing the flushing action after agitation has stopped, stopping the flushing action, starting to rinse the clothes, reviving agitation for a period of rinsing, stopping the rinsing action and starting a drying action during the revived agitation, stopping agitation before the end of the drying period, and finally cutting oil all activity and energization of the machine as a whole; these steps being alterable and variously combinable with certain thereof omitted or other steps included within their own novel scope, and so far as other features of the invention are concerned, as to time, degree of overlap with'each other, ii' any between certain of the steps, and other features.

of an agitator or bame element, as viewed in the direction ci' an arrow I oi' Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, taken along the line 5--8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the structure of Figs. i and 2, parts being broken away, and partsv being shown in section;

Fig. '1 is a sectional view, taken substantially along the line 1-1 of Fis. 2:

Fig. 8 is a considerably enlarged view, partially in central vertical plane section and partially in elevation. of a control device seen near the upper central portion or Fig. 1;

In order to render the invention more ciearlyunderstood, steps are described, and means are shown in the accompanying drawings for carrying the invention into practical etiect, without limiting the improvements to the particular elements shown and described, which for the purpose of explanation, are made the subject of il lustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a iront perspective view, on a reduced scale, of a washing machine of a particular type constructed in accordance with the invention, a front cover,which normally conceals certain of the parts. being indicated merely by dot-and-dash lines, so that such parts appear in full lines; Fig. 2 is substantially a central vertical-plane section of the machine, viewed in the direction oi' Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view of parts appearing at the upper right-hand portion of Fig. 2;-

Fig. 4 is a view showing a fragmentary detail Fig. 9'is a view of one of the cams, taken along the line I-I of Fig. 8;

y Fig. 10 is a view of another of the cams, taken along the line Il-IO oi' 1118.8;

Fig. ll is a view, a portion'of which is taken along the line iI-II of Fig. 8, and the remainder of which is of parts cooperating with the parts shown along such line:

Fig. 121s a view, a portion of which is takenv along the line iI--II of Fig. 8, andl the remainder of which is of parts cooperating with the parts shown along the line I2|2;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged view, partially in side elevation and partially in central vertical plane section. of a diaphragm valve seen near the left central portion of F18. 2;

Fig. 14 is a diagram oi' electrical circuits and parts thereof-employed in the machine;

Fig. l5 is a diagram illustrating the sequence of operation of the cams of the control device ofFis. 8;

Fig. 16 is a slightly enlarged detail view in side elevation, of a screen structure shown in Fig. 3, and at the top of Fig. 2;

Fig. 17 is a top plan view showing a modiiied form of screen for position in the structure in the place'of the'screen of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a view, on a slightly enlarged scale. similar to the top of Fig. 2, showing the modified screen of Fig. 17 and 'its mounting;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary top plan view oi' a form of control dial;

Fig. 20 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially along the line 2li-20 of F18. 2:

Fig. 2l is a plan view oi' the lower agitator;

Fig. 22 is a sectional view of the lower portion of the tub and agitator in enlarged detail; and

Fig. 23 is a view in enlarged detail taken along the line 23-23 of Fig. 8 showing the clutch mechanism.

MACHINE IN GENERAL Referring paracumm to Figs. 1, 2, s and v,v

the example of the` machine therein illustrated commises a lower base Il (Figs. 1 and 2). an upper stationaryhousing 21 on the base 2i, an oscillatory tub 28 disposed generally in the housing 21, but having a special top or lid construction li extending above the housing. means 32 at the bottom and 32A near the top of the tub for agitating the clothes and water in the tub during washing, flushing, and rinsing actions, a diaphragm Il in the tub for eil'ecting flushing and drying actions by expansion of the diaphragm, a

valve Il (Figs. 2 and i3) under the tub for admining num behind the diaphragm and in part controlling operation of the diaphragm 33, a power, or tub oscillating, unit assembly 4| supported by the base 23 under the housing 21, shock absorbing suspension means 42 for the power unit 4| associated therewith, and an automatic control mechanism 40 mounted on one side of the housing LOWER BASE STRUCTURE The base structure 26, which may be any one of several different types for supporting the other pants and causing the top of the machine to have a certain convenient level suitable to the average user, has legs |,l at least two of which, as -seen in Figs. 1 and 2, are suitable in location and conwhich is operatively connected to the mounting 02, this connection being indicated by the pin 33 which cooperates with a suitable slot. The lower portion of the tub and the mounting 82 also have registering` apertures in which an internally and externally threaded bushing 33 is clamped by the nut 30. The tube 3| of the valve 36, for controlling the diaphragm movements as will be further set forth. is received in this bushing.

Y At about its vertical central portion the body 13 of tub 23 is provided with a peripheral channel 32, Fig. 2, open at the inner side of the tub and constituting part of means for attaching the diaphragm 33 to the tub. as also will further struction for cooperation with the shock absorbing suspension means 42, as will later be described. The legs 5| are, in this instance, of pressed metal having channel section, joined at the lower ends, as by tie rods 53, and suitably supporting at the tops a metal or other disc or plate 55, preferably by means (notshown) for detachably mounting the legs in position. Castors 54 of the swivel type on the legs 5|, provide for the easy movement of the machine from one position to another on a iloor, in a usual manner. The plate 56 is surmounted by a shell or ring 51 of thin pressed sheet metal having a. horizontal peripheral top flange 58 for attachment to the housing 21, and a peripheral bottom ange 6| telescoping and suitably held to the plate 56.

THE HOUSING i The housing 21 encloses the tub 28, and other parts, and receives wash and rinse water ejected from the top of the tub, as will later appear. A pipe 62, extending from the bottom of the housing through the plate 56, is indicated for appropriately draining the housing 21. The housing comprises a thin sheet metal lower cup like portion 63, having an upper vertical peripheral flange 63 to which is secured an upper thin sheet metal cylindrical member 1|. At its upper end, the cylinder 1| is provided with `an annular thin sheet metal shell or cap 12 having an oilset perimeter 13 secured`to the top periphery of the cylinder 1|. The remainder of the cap 12 is of substantially half round section, forming a relatively large upwardly convex bead or toroid, having a relatively small horizontal, radially inwardly extending flange 11 about the upper part of the tub 28 and in closely spaced relation thereto. A bushing 13 is provided in an opening in the cap 12, for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth.

THETU'B The tub 28 (Fig. 2) is of the oscillating type for operation about a vertical axis, relative to which its sheet metal body 13 is of somewhat elongated globe shape having a clothes receiving opening at its top, and being shaped at its upper and lower portions for the reception of, and cooperation with, baffle elements of agitator means which will be later described.

The tub has a portion 8| pressed upwardly at the tub bottom (Fig. 2). Disc-like metal mounting element 82 is provided outside the tub bottom, and a disc-like agitator base 04 (see also Fig. 22) is provided inside the tub bottom, these elements conforming to the shape of the tub and also extending about the portion 3|, and being secured to the tub as by rivets.

The bottom mounting 82 has a recess for the reception of the upper end of a drive shaft 31 of the casting 30 has an outwardly projecting' peripheral ange |02, in the top of which is a groove |03 (Fig. 3). A plurality of peripherally spaced ducts or outlet ports |06 extend diagonally downwardly and outwardly through the casting 30 from the groove I 03 to the exterior of the tub, for allowing water from the tub to drain into the housing 21 through the radially narrow peripheral space between the ilange 11 on the shell 12 and the upper part of the sheet metal tub.

The lid 3| comprises plate III constructed ofA sheet metal pressed to inverted shallow substantially dish shape. The metal of the lid at its l periphery encircles a ring ||3 (Fig. 3), oi square cross section, which forms a ange that overlies and cooperates with the flange |02. Mounted concentrlcally with the ring ||3 is a frame |32 between which and the lid I is disposed a rigid screen |33 conforming in general to the shape of the lid The frame |32 is appropriately secured to the lid and has peripherally spaced, downwardly extending ducts |34 which communicate at their lower ends with the peripheral groove |03 and at their upper endswith the screen openings. I

The screen |33, as better seen in Fig. 16, is of large mesh and also has radial top grooves or corrugations |35 which, when the clothes mass is pressed against the screen by theA diaphragm, form gutters or channels for better draining oilr the water outwardly through the spacev between the ring |32 and plate III, downwardly through the ducts |34 into the top annular groove |03, and thence through the ducts 06, into the housing 21, as above mentioned. Before the clothes are tightly pressed against the screen, the main bulk of the wash or rinse water being displaced by the diaphragm flows freely outwardly' into the ducts |34 through various parts of the screen, irrespective of the grooves I 35. It should be noted that while the drawings show the ducts |06 and |34 substantially in register, this is by no means necessary, the groove |03 with its ducts |03 being of suflicient capacity to carry of! the water admitted to the groove bythe ducts |34 regardless of the respective locations of theducts along the groove.

The lid is removably held upon the tub by a clamping ring ||1 of channel section which embraces lid ilange I3 and tub flange |02 when the lid is in place on the tub. Referring to Fig. 6,

for locking the lid in closed position.

the ring is split as indicated at |.l8 and provided with operating means for peripheral expansion of the clamping ring to release the lid for opening and for peripheral contraction oi' the ring The operating means comprises a link |21. pivotally secured to the ring Ill at one side of the split III and to a cam handle III which, in turn. is pivotally mounted upon the lug |30 located at the other side of the split III. Raising the handle I2! expands the ring'i Il and lowering `the handle to the positionshown in Fig. 6 contracts vthe ring. The linkage is locked inthe closed position as the link |21 passes below the-pivot of the handle on the lug IIO.

At the top outside center of the ldill, an aperture therein is surrounded by a nipple' III (Fig. 2) attached thereto, on which is a grooved ferrule Ill. A cap like member III has a rotative water sealed relation to the nipple, and is provided with a spring clip MIA. the end of which passes through an opening in the cap andengages in the groove of the ferrule. The cap |38 is connected by a coupling |39 to a ilexible conduit III of the metal armored type. The conduit extends through the bushing 1l. and between the housing 21 and the tub 2l to a nipple ill in the bottom wall ofthe housing. -Water is supplied to the conduit I from an inlet connection |42, secured to the bottom disc Il. through `a hose or conduit i, which extends through an opening III (Fig. l) in the shell I1. to a valve lll of ber, two being here shown located on opposite sides of the tub. They are. as better illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6, o! iin-like character rounded at the inner thinner edges IIB. and tapered on one side, as indicated at Ill to merge gradually into the inner surface of the tub body, while the opposite side IBI of each baille is straight. presenting a ilat, radially extending side. The ilat sides-of the baiiles 32A face in the same direction with respect to the direction of tub oscillation, for a purpose to be referred to later. The edges I" slope downwardly and inwardly from the casting I I, substantially as chords of the cross sectional arc of the tub body 1l. to a position close to the mid channel Il, where they are suddenly sloped 'into the tub surface. v

\The broad sides of the baiiies extend in a general radial direction to the tub axis at any horisontalsection. but longitudinally, they slope relative to the vertical at an angleof about twentyfive' degrees, as better seen in Fig. 4. and in opposite directions. respectively. The cross section of each of these baiiles is actually, and substane tially. as shown in Fig. 5, the apparent thicker section thereof indicated in Fig. 2, being caused bythe vertical cut therethroughfalong the line 2-2 of Fig. 4. This section also requires that Y only the upper part of the left hand baille. and

the automatic control mechanism 4B. and from the valve I" through a connector |48. and ahose or conduit Ill. extending through an opening Ill in the shell Il. to the nipple III, to which the conduit |40 is connected. A suitable source of heated water may be connected to the inlet# The section ISI of the ilexible armored conduit lll (Figs. l, 2 and 6) acts somewhat as a hinge. or exible mechanical connector. between lthe housing 21 and the lid lll. whereby to prevent complete separation of the lid from the tub when the lid is open, and vserving to hold it in convenient position for closing the tub. Also.

the section III of the conduit MII, may .telescope back and forth through the bushing 18 to avoid buckling of the conduit and tobetter control the action of opening and closing the tub. The construction and arrangement of the water supply conduit and the association thereof with the lid are claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 651.498. filed March'Z.- 1946.

' THE AGITATOR MEANS Vaugmented by, the action of fresh Aincoming water in the direction of an arrow E. shown at the top of Fig. 2, during rinsing. Either or both sets of bames 32 and IIA may be used, and either or both the lower part of the right hand baille. as viewed in Fig. 2, be shown in-fuli lines. and that the lower part of the left 'hand baille and the upper part of the right hand baille be shown in dot and idash lines, since looking into the bailles along the line 2-2 of Fig. 4, as is actually the case in Fig. 2, would only show the upper l part oi the left hand baille. and the lower part of the right hand baille. as will be understood.

Lower agitator 32 (Figs. 2, 'l and 20-22) comprises the disc-like base Bl, on which are a plurality of bames Iilwhich extend radially'from the center (Fig. 2l). At the upper edges the battles are rounded and the sides divergngly tapered to the base, as seen in Fig. 20. In vertical plane outline the haines are each of generally curved or rounded contour conforming somewhat to the lower recess of the tub. and having outer enlarged portions IBI. These bailies,

in relation to such recess Aand to the globular rising sides of the outer portions of the tub, cause the water and clothes mass to be impelled radially outwardly and upwardly along the sides of the may be incorporated in the tub by beingpressed therein, as will be apparent.

The upper agitator baflies IIA are here shown as integral parts of the top metal casting 98.I

although they may be separately attached thereto. or to the tub. or constitute parts of the tub body as indicated. and may be varied in numtub. and if uninterrupted would move downwardf is radially inwardly along and opposite these midsections. However, the sections of the baiiles above the mid-portions exert a more or less downward component of movement toward and along the axis of the tub. and the sections of the bailles below the mid-portions exert a thrust radially inwardly. The result of all of these forces is to cause considerable agitation of thev clothes in the upper portion of the tub as they are moved inwardly and before they are carried downwardly in the center.

During rinsing, the central downward movement is augmented by the fresh rinse water entering the tub in the direction of the arrow E. At the same time, the fresh water is introduced .and mixed in definite and symmetrical manner.

. respect to the main forces exerted by the lower baiiles. As these bailles move in the reverse direction the clothes mass slides oi! the slanting faces thereof. The next forward motion of` the fiat sides of the baiiies engages a different portion of the clothes mass, and thus the clothes are moved around the vertical axis with a step by step motion, in addition to all the other movements imparted thereto, The above described construction and arrangements for agitating the clothes. together with the method of agitating, are being claimed Vin my co-pending application Serial No. 651,497, flied March 2, 1946.

AGITATOR UNIT The power unit herein described is the main drive motor and mechanism for oscillating the tub toagitate the clothes, as distinguished from other drive means hereinafter set forth for actuating thev automatic control mechanism 58.

The drive shaft 81 (Fig. 2) is Journaled in a relatively long sleeve bearing 22| having exterior screw threads, whereby it is vertically adjust` ably mounted in tubular post 282, and it is fixed in adjusted position by a nut 228. The post 222 has a top flange bolted to the bottom of the tub housing 21, and a bottom flange bolted to the bottom disc 58. The drive shaft 81 has a lower portion 28| of reduced diameter providing a shoulder which rests on a ball bearing 242 that is held in place by a gland 288 through which the shaft portion 28| extends. Below the portion24| the shaft is of square cross section which terminates in a threaded end 284. 'I'he sleeve 281 of a crank arm 248 (see Fig. 'I also) fits upon the squared portion of the shaft 81, and is pivotally connected to one end of a linlrl 252. The other end of the link 252 is pivotally connected to a worm wheel 258. the pivotal connection being eccentrically located thereon. The shaft 251 of the worm wheel is mounted on the bottom of lower casing 28| which also carries a bearing 282 for the sleeve 281. Ihe upper portion 288 has a bearing 284 for the sleeve 281. The casing portions 28| and 288 have cooperating outer flanges 285 appropriately bolted together. .This mechanism is supported upon the lower end of shaft 81 by a washer 288 and nut 281, which is suitably locked in place.

A worm screw 288 on shaft 288 engages the worm wheel 258 and is driven by motor 21| through pulleys 212 and belt 212. Motor 21| is supported on an arm 218 that is pivotally mounted on projection 215 extending from the upper casing portion 282. A screw 282. mounted in the flanges 285 of the casings 25| and 288, co- -operates with the arm 21| for adjusting the position of the motor on its pivot mounting whereby A casing for the entire drive mechanism coml prises an upper shell 288 secured to a lower pan 281 by bolts 288. The pan 281 is secured to the gear casing 28|. 283 by the nut 281 and a nut 288 on the lower end of shaft 251. The bolts 288 also secure laterally extending plates 28| to the pan at radially opposite parts thereof. The plates 28| are-connected to leaf springs 282, of the shoclrl absorber devices I2. whichin turn are secured to two of the legs 5| of the machine. Near the ends of its strokes. the oscillating structure has its motion damped by the yieldability of the springs -282 in a direction circumferentially of the drive shaft, the springs being rigid in the up and down direction. 'Ihis damping means is being claimed in my aforesaid copending application Serial No. 651,497.

FLUSHING DRYING MEANS I Other pressure diaphragms or contracting chamber type drying means have been heretofore suggested, but not in 'the form herein developed or with the advantages as will appear. In the present instance. also. the diaphragm is employed not only 'as means for drying the clothes. but also as means for effecting a flushing action.

'I'he diaphragm 38 hereof is made of high grade durable soft rubber. having suiilcient weight, body or thickness to be firm-,and positive in action. of long life, and suiiiciently flexible to ensure its ready response to expansion and contraction, as well as its ready conformation to the clothes mass whereby to insure uniform effective pressure thereon. It has also the novel distinction of being molded such that, in its contracted or relaxed state, it not only conforms closely to the shape of the tub. but also to the agitator bailles |58, and to other parts of the lower agitator 22, as will be explained.

The diaphragm is somewhat semi-spherical in shape, having an upper edge peripheral bead |81, Fig. 2. An expansion ring |1| engages the upper peripheral part of the diaphragm. Just under the bead |81, pressing the same intothe channel 82 formed in the tub side wail: this ring having sufilcient expansive force to hold the diaphragm securely in place, but not necessarily enough in itself to provide a perfect water seal against the pressure imposed thereon, especially when the diaphragm is being extended to its utmost upper positions during the drying operation. When the diaphragm is expanded upwardly, which action tends to turn it inside out, it wraps itself about the ring |1|. Since downward slippage of the top edge of the diaphragm is prevented by the bead |81, and the pressure on the inner side of the ring by the diaphragm prevents vcontraction of the ring, the diaphragm acts on the ring with a substantially snubber effect. thus increasing the sealing effect of the bead |81, and adjacent parts of the diaphragm, against the tub body 18 in and adjacent to the channel 82, and against the ring.

At its bottom (see Figs. 2 and 20) the diaphragm is further provided with portions |88 of inverted substantially channel section closely conforming to, and in relaxed condition fitting over the baflies |58. During expansion, the diail phragm um on me bottom of the tub, rising from the baffles and, since 'it does not turnwrelativeto the tub, returns easily and accurately to position fitting the baiiles; this action being ensured by the wider open lower portions and the gradually curved lower edges of the channel sections ofv the diaphragm. shown in Fig. 20, conforming to the curves -of the baffles joining them. tolthe base 66.

The flow of water to and from the space between the diaphragm 36 and the bottom of the tub, to expand and contract the diaphragm, is

controlled by the diaphragm valve 66. indicated eating with a cylinder |16 having end yportions |11 and |16. the latter of which constitutes an end closure for the cylinder. from which a conduit or hose |6| extends to the control mech.-

anism 46. The portion |11 is in the form of a Fig. 13. to the full open position for the head1- UponV this action. the contraction of 'the dla- Aphragm 66 forces the water through the opening in the ring seat |61 and through the discharge y ports |66 of the spider |11 into the bottom of the housing 21. from which. it drains through the drain pipe 62. The water pressure applied behind the diaphragm during expansion of the' latter being substantially uniform, the pressures developed in the drying and nushing operationsV are readily calculable. so that the strength of the spring 202 can be properly chosen to eifect the spider having legs |62 supporting a central Jourl nal bearing |96, and defining apertures |66 constituting discharge ports.

A piston rod |61 carries a head |66 fixed thereto, and also a head |92 that is slidably mountedthereon. A yieldable washer |96, secured against one face of the head |66, is adapted to bear against a ring seat |91 fixed to the cylinder |16.

A helical spring 20| vsurrounds the rod |61, tending to push the heads away from each other. Another spring 202 extends between the spider |11 and the head |66, tending to push the latter of water bleeding or escaping from the cylinder through the side ports 261. When water under pressure is admitted to the cylinder |16. through the tube |6| and the coil 221 to be described. the piston head |92 is moved to substantially the dotted line position (Fig 13)- in which water is admitted freely through the tube 9|, in back of the diaphragm, topush or expand the same upwardly in the tub. Movement of the head |92 also presses the head |66- against the seat |91. through the spring 20|.

As the clothes are compressed between the diaphragm and the screen |66, the wash or rinse water escapes as above described. Near the end of the drying operation, the pressure behind the diaphragm builds up to that of the incoming fluid, which pressure occurs against the head |66 holding the latter tlghtlyagainst the seat |91. As the pressure increases, and because the pres-kI s ure ofthe incoming water isconstant, the head |92 returns substantially to the full line position shown. in which position the ow of water into the diaphragm space reduces. entering merely through the space between the head |62 and the cylinder |16.

Whenever the water supply has been stopped by the automatic control mechanism 66, the

bleeder valve 269 then allows the water pressure lin the cylinder |16 to drop gradually. After-a certain amount of bleeding, during which the desired draining, quickly and in proper sequence.'

The pressure maintained by the adjustable bleeder valve also enables regulating the duration of the period of high pressure on the clothes, that is to say. the rate of bleeding can be so adjusted as to determine the length of time before the piston |66 moves to open position to dumpthe water from behind the diaphragm and, therefore, there may be a period of sustained higher pressure during the drying operation.

The water supply to the valve 66 is from an inlet pipe 2|| (Fig. 2), secured to the disc 96 by a'clip 2|2, through a conduit 2I6 (Fig. l), that extends through an opening in the shell 61, and through a connector 2|6 to a valve 22| of the control mechanism 66. From the valve 22|, the water is conducted upwardly, through a connector 222, and downwardly through the conduit |6I, which extends through an opening in the shell 61. After entering the -shell 61, the conduis |6| extends upwardly through a nipple 226 in the bottom wall of the housing 21, and is formed into a flat spiral section 221 of about two turns surrounding the drive shaft 61, before continuing to the valve 3.6. The turns of the spiral are arranged of relatively large diameter and to radi-4 ally contract and expand so that the tub may oscillate without danger of harm to the fluid connections by reason of the relative movement between the tub carried valve 36 and the stationary nipple 226. Arranging the conduit section. 2 21 in a flat spiral coil also allows the bottom of the tub to be spaced from the bottom of the housing-by a minimum distance, whereby to conserve space at a' place where such conservation is of importance in a selection of height for the housing 21'. The construction. arrangement and connections of thecoil or spiral section 221 is claimed in my co-pending application Serial No.

651,498, led March 2, 1946.

Special provisions are made to insure complete draining of the water from in back of the diaphragm 96, and to insure against accidental and premature closing `of the opening to the diaphragm valve. To this end, ther lower face of the base 66 of thelower agitator has anannular groove 226. Fig. 22, leaving a peripheral portion 229. The \head of the mounting bushing 69 for the diaphragm valve 96 is received in the groove 226. The base 64 has numerous apertures 226 therethrough communicating with the groove 226, and the peripheral portion 229 also has numerous apertures 262 alsocommunicating with the groove 226. When water is admitted in back of the diaphragm it passes through the apertures 266 and 262 to readily start the diaphragm expansion. When'the water is being expelled from in back of the diaphragm it readily drains through the many openings inw the groove 226 and fromv thence to the tub housing 21. but without danger of the diaphragm fouling the opening into the diaphragm valve '36.

The construction and arrangement of the diaphragm, including the molding oi' the diaphragm 13 to conform with the shape of the agitator, and thecooperating drain structures are claimed in my lco-pending application Serial No. 651,496, filed March 2, 1946.

cou'rRoL MECHANISM 5 This mechanism 48. constituting the means, or center, from which the control of all automatic operations of the machine emanates, and by which certain steps may be adjusted individually and relative to other steps, is arranged in a convenient compact unit at the front of the indicated in Figs. 6 and 8, the cover 302 being removably mounted on the standards 238 and The wash and rinse water valve |41 is mounted on a bracket 306 (Figs. 1 and 12) secured'to the panel 30|, and has an operating plunger 308. At its outer end, the plunger has a cam follower 3II for cooperation with a cam disc 3I2 having one cam lobe 3|3 thereon. The cam disc is motor operated, as will be described, to cause the cam to actuate the valve |41. The valve also may be operated by hand through lever 3|4, pivotally mounted at its inner end on the bracket 308 and having a pin and slot connection 3|8 with the follower 3| I. At its outer end the lever 3|4 is connected to one end of a wire cable 322 havingat its other end, a member 338 which extends through slots 331 in the standard 231, .to a handle 338. The handle has a cam-like portion 34 I. 'I'he position of the handle 333 indicated corresponds to the off or closed position of the valve |41, which, however, by reason of theA flexibility of the cable 322 does not .interfere with movements of the plunger 308 between its open and closed positions by the action of 'cam lobe 3|3. The plunger 308 is biased to its indicated outer or closed position by a spring (not shown) in the valve. However, lifting of the handle by hand will open the valve'against the action of its spring. A sheet metal member 343. secured to the valve |41, carries a guide 348 for the cable 322. i

The diaphragm water valve 22| (Fig. 11) is mounted .on a bracket 341 which is secured to the panel 30|. An operating plunger 38| for the valve, which is also biasedv to its outer position corresponding to the "closed" position of the valve by a spring (not shown), has at its outer end a cam follower 382 for cooperation with a cam disc 353 having two cam lobes 364 and 386 thereon. A lever 388, pivotally mounted at its inner end on the bracket 34.1, has a pin and slot connection 36| with the follower 362, and at its outer end, is connected to one end of a cable 382. The latter is connected, at its other end to a member 386 which extends through slots 381 in the standard 238 and is pivotally connected to a cam-like portion of a handle 388. As in the case of the handle 338, the position of the handle 383 indicated in Fig. 1 corresponds to the "off or closed position of the valve 22| which however,

by the flexibility of the cable 332, does not interfere with the movements of the plunger 38| between its open and closed positions by the cam 14 lobes 384 and 388. Lifting of the handle opens valve 22| by hand when desired.y .A sheet metal member 316, secured'to the valve 22|. carries a guide 318 for the' cable 382.

The cam discs 3|2 and 383 are secured, as by set screws 38| and 382 (Fig. 8) respectively, to a motor driven shaft 383 that is journaled in upper and lower bearing brackets 388 and 386 that are secured to the panel.30|. Above the cam disc 353 a cam block 388 is also secured to the shaft 383, as by a set screwv 33|, this block as seen in Figs. l, 8 and 10, having a continuous cam groove 332 in the face thereof.V A ball end ofv a switch handle 336 rides in the groove 332 .as the cam block is rotated. The groove is arranged with high spots and low spots to cause up and down movements, respectively, ofthe switch between the oif" and on'l positions thereof, as vthe cam yis rotated. As indicated in Figs. 10 and 15, the

cam groove 332 has two high orA switch off" portions 338 and 333, and two interspersed low or switch on portions 402 and 403. Thus, as the cam 388 is rotated, the switch handle 338 is moved back and forth between its "on and "oil positions according to the sequence in which it is desired to have it do so. y I

Movement of the handle 388 controls operation of an electric switch 406 which is mounted on the panel 30| by a bracket 401. As indicated in Fig. 14, this switch controls the immediate energizing circuit of the tub operating or agitator motor 21 I.

The remainder of the electric circuits will be described later. v

ring is provided with a large number of fine teeth and has cooperating therewith vertically slidable clutch element-M6, which is mounted on a plurality of reciprocable plunger rods 4I1. The rods are journaled inthe block 4 I 2 and biased upwardly by springs 4I6 surrounding the plunger rods 4I'1. The movable clutch member 4I6, the outer edge of which is serrated to engage with the teeth of the ring 4|5, surrounds the shaft 383. The upper portion of the shaft is tubular and has a vertical slot 4 I 3 in the portion within the cup recess 4 I4. A projection 42| on the movable clutch member 4|6 extends through the slot4|3 and is engaged by the lower end of a rod 422 in the tubular portion of shaft 363. The rod 422 extends upwardly to an operating knob or button 423 fixed thereto, and is normally biased upwardly by a helical spring 424 that is located in a cup like recess in the upper end of shaft 383. Normally the clutch elements 4I5 and 4|8 are engaged and the shaft 383 is lpositively driven. At times, as will be explained in the operation, it becomes desirable to rotate the shaft independently of the gear drive. At such times the knob 423 is depressed to cause the rod 422 to disengage the clutch members, at which time the shaft can be turned by the hand knob 425 that is mounted at the. upper end thereof.

The drive for the worm wheel 4II is from a motor 426 (Figs. 1 and 6), mounted by casing 421 -on the panel 30|, through a worm gear 428 on the shaft of the motor and which meshes with the worm wheel 4||.

The collar 428 of the worm wheel III abuts the upper bearing 385. Above this bearing the shaft also has secured 'thereto another cam l (Figs. 8 and 9) which engages a depending pin I carried at one end of a slide tu. .The opposite end of the slide has a depending cup l in which is received the ball end of a switch levervlll which is part o f a switch 6.- As seen from Fig. 14, this switch controls the main input power circuit Il "l, which extends directly to the cainmotor III, and the switch is also in series circuit relationA to the agitator motor switch lill. In the position shown in Fig. 8, the switch lever I is in ori" position with the circuit completed therethrough.

As the pin 432 rides over thehigh point of the cam Vthe slide and switch handle are moved to the "off position with the power circuit to bothv motors interrupted. y.lis will be explained, this occurs only after the automaticcycle of operations of the machine is completed. The switch handle is moved to onl position by hand by means of knob l that is mounted on the horizontal portion of a lever 44|. This lever is connected to a slide 2 which in turn is connected to slide |33 by a flat connector MI. This connector works in a slot l in the upper wall Isl of the housing for the automatic mechanism. It should be noted that the slide I is guided by its bifurcated end l which straddles shaft '383.

It is desirable that the knob 423 shall not be depressed to allow the shaft I to be rotated by hand. as has been described, while either or`both of the motors are energized. To prevent this. the horizontal extension i of the hand lever i is arranged to project beneath the knob lll whenever the switch handle i is in the on" position, but to be moved clear thereof when that handle is in the off position or left hand position. i

It is proposed to arrange the control so as to enable the user to compensate for variations of supply water pressure and flow available. Obviously, if the speed of the motor |26 is varied, thev speed of the cam shaft "I of the control mechanism will be varied and the cams will take more or less time to perform their respective omces. Accordingly. as seen in Fig. 14, the motor 426 comprises an armature 6 and a tleld winding l connected in series with the conductors 431 and 438 through a variable resistor 8,

shown in Figs. 1 and 6 as mounted on the panel- Iill, and having in this instance, three taps A, B and C. with which a movable contact arm or knob lll cooperates for varying the resistance of the motor circuit. 'I'he point A corresponds to high speed or high water pressure, the point B to speed and pressure of intermediate' value or-degree, and the point C to low speed and pressure, as will be apparent.v That is to say, if the water pressure or iiow is lower than a normal standard, it will require longer for all operations which depend upon the incoming water such as flushing. rinsing and drying. By properly choosing the speed of the cam shaft motor 426 this increased time can be provided for without disturbing the automatic cycle of the control mechanism and machine functions.

The adjustments of the `machine indicated somewhat in the above description are not op.

erations which must be effected at the beginning surein-a locality varies, the adjustments are available to compensate therefor.

Fig- 19 illustrates a form of index device for the" v ---sponding to the positions A. B and C of the rheostat MI, and the movable index pointer l is provided with three arrows to cooperate respectively with the scales A. B. and C. for the different motor speeds, or by translation, different water pressures.

oPEmi'rioN- At the beginning of the operation of the machine the user places in the tub the dry clothes. The machine is then filled with water by hand operation of the handle 338 (Fig. 1) to open the water supply valve\ |41. When the machine is thus filled to the proper level, the handle Il! is returned to the position shown in Fig. 1 which permits the water valve to close and the follower III to return to engagement with the cam disc of each washing, but in the main are adjustments f which oncejmade will remain solong as the machine remains in the locality of one general water supply pressure and now. If however, the preslll. Soap, washing powder or water softener is then added and the lid I is locked in place. Assuming that the water pressure is normal,

the operator will use ,scale A. and assuming that a twenty minute washing period is desired. the button 423 is depressed, before the main switch is turned on. and the cam shaft l is turned by the knob 425, to bring the pointer IIIJ to the figure `20 on scale A. This operation has adjusted the several cams on the shaft 383 to approximately the position shown in column V (left hand) of Fig. 15. It will be noted that the agitaktor cam Ill has moved the switch handle IBB to the on" position so that the circuit to the lagitator motor 21| is closed. However, no current is supplied to this motor as yet because the main line switch 438 has not been closed.

AAfter releasing the button Il the operator closes the main line switch I by moving the knob 9, and its associated lever and slides, to the right in Fig. 8. This operation energizes both the agitator motor and the cam shaft motor as will be understood from Fig. 14. eration also moves the end of the lever l beneath the button 423 so that the latter cannot be depressed and the cams cannot be adjusted further by hand while the motors are energized. With the energization of the agitator motor. tub oscillation commences to perform the washing of the clothes.

At the end of the selected twenty minute washing period the cam shaft has advanced the cam disc Ill substantially to the position shown in column W of Fig. 15, in which position the cam lobe III has actuated the follower Il! to open the valve 22| to admit water in back of the diaphragm I3, through the valve II..v This is the beginning of the flushing operation in this case. in which the diaphragm lifts the clothes and wash water toward the top of the machine so that the wash water is gradually forced out through the drain openings Ill (in the lid) and III (in the tub). Thus, any scum and matter which has accumulated on top of the water is flushed out of the machine. It will be noted that the agitation of the machine has not stopped and does not stop until the diaphragm has lifted the clothes and water past the center of the tub.

The same opwhich is about one-half or two-thirds of the flushing cycle, the agitation being continued by W of Fig. 15, where the handle 338 of the agitatorl motor switch is moved to the "olf" position, and agitation ceases, but the ination of the diaphragm continues, as does the operation of the cam shaft motor. The expansion of the diaphragm to remove the wash water is continued until substantially all of the water has been extracted from the clothes at which time the cam lobe' 384 has passed the follower 382 and the diaphragm water valve 22| closes. Under the action of the bleeder valve 203 as heretofore explained,

`the valve 38 operates to empty the water from behind the diaphragm, and the diaphragm returns to its lower position shown in Fig. 2.

By this time, the cam disc 3|2 has advanced substantially to the position shown in the column X'of Fig. 15 to actuate the follower 3|| of the water valve |41 to again open the same to admit water to the tub through the center of the lid as heretofore explained. This is the beginning of the rinsing operation. When suillcient water has been admitted to the tub to make agitation of the clothes and water of some beneilt, which is about one-third of the time consumed by the rinsing f operation, the agitator cam disc 388 has reached and the cam lobe 388 of the disc 353 has moved to the position to again open the diaphragm water valve 22|, as shown in the same column.

'I'his will again expand the diaphragm to eject, the rinse water and is the beginning of the dry ing operation. Agitation is still continued and agitator cam 388 does not again actuate the switch arm 388 to stop the agitation motor until thediaphragm is above the center of the tub and preferably about half of the period of time for this particular operation of the diaphragm. At this time the agitator cam 388 has reached the "oif position shown in column Y of Fig. 15. The expansion of the diaphragm continues to bring about drying of the clothes by compressing the same against the upper portions of the tub and its cover, until all of the water is extracted from the'. clothes whereupon the supply of water behind the diaphragm is shut of! by the cam lobe 388 riding past the follower of the valve 22|. Then the action of the bleeder valve 203 and diaphragm valve 38 will again operate to dump the water from in back of the diaphragm.

All of the time that this whole cycle of operations has been going on the cam 43| has been turning. and has been gradually moving the pin 432 of slide 433 to the left in Fig. 8. By the time the diaphragm water has been removed from the machine and the diaphragm has returned to its lower position. the pin 432 is at the high point of the cam 43|. as shown in column Z of Fig. l5,

so that the slide 433 has moved the switch arm 438 to the leftin Fig. 8 to interrupt the main power line circuit to the cam motor and alsofto -the agitator motor.Y In this position. in whichl the various cams have the position shown in. column Z of Fig. 15, the machine is entirely stopped, whereupon the operator removes the lid from the machine and takes out the washed and dried clothes.

Should the water pressure be less than thev selected' high or normal pressure, the rheostat 448 will be adjusted to position B or position C as the case may be. and the operator of the machine then ilxes the washing period by using either .the scale B or the scale C of dial lll, whereupon the entire sequence ofoperations as above described will be performed automatically, but at slower rates because of the slower operation of the cam shaft 383. Thus, suiilcient timeis provided for the water to raise the diaphragm to its full extent for the flushing and drying opjerations and for the rinse water to fill the machine and overilow as above described notwithstanding its lower pressure and therefore its slower rate of flow.

A0f course, if the operator desires a'washing period of less than twenty minutes the cam shaft 383 is turned to bring the pointer 883 to the particular point on the scale for the washing period desired, for example, 5, 10 or 15 minutes. and at the expiration of the selected period of time, the remainder of the functions of the ma- `chine will be performed automatically as de' which the clothes have been soaking.

scribed above. v

While in the above description there is no further operation of the agitator motor after it is stopped during the middle of the drying operation, it will be understood that by the simple addition of another lobe on the ca m block 388, the tub could be oscillated for -a brief interval near or at the conclusion of the drying operation to loosen the clothes prior ic their removal from the machine.

It should be pointed out that in the event the operator of the .machine desires to soak the clothes overnight or before beginning the washing and drying operations, the machine would be illled with wash water, clothes, etc., as above described, but the knob 438 Vcontrolling the main line switch would not be moved to the right in Fig. 8. When it is desired to begin the washing operation, and to do so with fresh, heated water. the operator will actuate valve 22| either by operation of .hand lever 388 or by depressing the knob 423, and turning the cam shaft until the pointer m indicates the beginning of the drying operation. At this time the several cams will be substantially in the position shown in column Y in, Fig. 15. The operator will then close the main line switch 438 which will start the operation of the machine and of the cam motor to expand the diaphragm to remove the water in At the completion of this operation, the diaphragm will have returned to its lower position, and the machinestopped, whereupon the operator will fill the tub with fresh water and add washing comf pound, etc., just as described above for the beginning of the washing operation. and will then performing these functions automaticailyif det sired.

'Ihe user of the machine may wish to wash cer-- tain articles requiring less forceful agitation of the clothes. For this purpose the circuit of the4 understood thatthese periods may be oi' equal f duration.

Also, the foregoing description contemplates obtaining flushing action by operation of the diaphragm, but this is not necessary. Flushing may be accomplished without diaphragm movement by lengthening the cam lobe for longer opening of the valve |41 for the rinsing operation. Of course, lobe IM would be omitted. In this operation agitation would not stopand the incoming water stream at the center oi' the tub would cause overilowing and draining of scum. etc. from the tub along the sides thereof. Various methods of washing, related to the above disclosure, are claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 651,495, filed March 2. 1946, now abandoned.-

4MODIFIED scam STRUCTURE instead of being constituted of wire mesh. as inthe case of the screen III. is constructed of sheet ymetal. such as stainless steel. It has the same general inverted shallow substantially dish shape, but' instead of requiring the removal of screws or otherl parts for its removal and cleaning.

screen 133s is provided with a depending peripheral portion l'having a bead 521 which interlocks with a bead III on ring Illa of the lid. Thus,'the screenis adapted to bemoved into position and removed with a substantially snap action. The ring lila has apertures Illa communicating with a groove lila inthe top surface of the tub neck portion Illa, which is further provided with ducts lila. A bail member Illa embraces flanges lita and Ina, to hold the lid in place. as hereinabove described. Apertures 529 in the screen Illa take the place of the openings in the wire screen mesh above set forth, and a central aperture ISI is provided in register with the inlet nipple Illa. Raised portions 532 serve to maintain the screen Illa spaced from Athe lid body l I I.

Other modifications may be made in the shape, arrangement' and location of parts within the spirit and scope of my invention, and such modiilcations are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Iclaim: y'

1. In a washing machine. a tub,l means ior agitating clothes in the tub. a means for n ushing and kdrying the clothes, means for rinsing the clothes., and actuating and controlmechanism for automatically (a) operating said flushing and drying means to start the flushing of the clothes while said agitating means is operating, (b) stopping the agitating means while continuing the action of the ilushing, (c) stopping the fiushing means, (d) starting the rinsing means, (e) reviving operation of the agitating means, (f) stopping the rinsing means. and (g) starting the operation oi the ilushing and drying means to dry the clothes during the revived action oi the agitating means, and (h) stopping the agitating means before the end of the drying operation of the drying means. y

2. In a washing machine, agitating means including an electric motor. a switch for controlling said motor, control mechanism including a `cani shaft and a cam on the shaft for controlling said v switch, a motor forv operating said cam shaft, means including a clutch between said cam shaft and'its motor for adjusting the cam shaft relative to the motor, a second switch in circuit with said motors, `and interlock means between said second switch and said adjusting vmeans requining said switch to beopen for the manipulation of said clutch.

3. In a clothes washing machine, a plurality ot operating means including means tor washing the clothes. means forv flushing the wash water from the clothes, means for rinsing the clothes. and means including said flushing means for drying the clothes, control means to cause said washing. flushing. rinsing and drying to occur in succession automatically. and means for manually operating one of said plurality of operating means independently of the automatic control means.

4. In a clothes washing machine. a plurality of operating meansincluding means for washing the clothes, means for iiushing the wash water from the clothes, means for rinsing the clothes. and means including said iiushing means for drying the clothes, control means to cause said washing. flushing. rinsing and drying to occur in succession automatically, and means for selectively manually operating the drying means independently of the automatic control means.

- 5. In a washing machine. clothes agitating means, means including an electric motor for actuatingsaid agitating means, control mechanism, means includin'g an electric motor for actuating said control mechanism, a main switch a main switch connected in circuit directly to said control motor and through another switch to said agitating motor. and means in said control mechanism for controlling said switches including means for selectively manually operating said other switch.

7. In g washing machine, a tub. a drain outlet at the top of the tub, means for agitating clothes in the tub, a flexible diaphragm positioned in the lower portion of the tub. means for 'admitting water to the tub for rinsing the clothes, and actuating and control mechanism for controlling the agitating means, for partially expanding the diaphragm to remove part of the wash water. ior admitting the rinse water and for thereafter furai A lther expanding the diaphragm .sumciently to dry the clothes.

8. In a washing machine, a. tub, means for agitating clothes inthe tub, a water inlet to the tub, a drain for the tub, a ilexible diaphragm mounted in the tub, a valve controlled inlet for admitting fluid behind said diaphragm to cause the same to contract the space occupied by the clothes in the tub, and control mechanism for the agitatln'g means, the water inlet and the iiuid valve, so constructed and arranged as to admit fluid behind the diaphragm to cause the sameto partially contract the space occupied by the clothes in the tub, to thereafter admit rinsing water Ato the tub, and to thereafter admit additional iiuid behind the diaphragm so as to compress the clothes to dry the same.

9. In a washing machine. a tub, a drain outlet for the-tub. means for agitating clothes in the tub, a flexible diaphragm mounted in the tub, means for admitting water to the tub for rinsing the clothes, vand actuating andA control mechanism i'or controlling the agitating means, for partially expanding the diaphragm to remove part of thewash water, for admitting the rinse water While the diaphragm is partially expanded and for thereafter further expanding `the diaphragm so as to compress the clothes to dry the same.

10. In a clothes washing machine, a plurality of operating means including means for supplying wash water to the tub, means for washing the clothes, means for flushing the wash water from the clothes, means for rinsing the clothes. and means including said flushing means for drying the clothes, control means to cause said washlng, flushing, rinsing and drying to occur in succession automatically, and means for manually operating one of said plurality of operating means independently of the automatic control means.

11. In a .washing machine, a tub; means for admitting water to the tub for washing articles and for rinsing the articles being washed, thewashing andthe rinsing being respectively carried out in the presence of a free body of liquid maintained in the tub; means for agitating the, articles and water in the tub during washing. fiushing and rinsing operations; a drain outlet for the tub located above the level of the washing water in the tub; a flexible diaphragm `normally occupying a position of rest in the tub, and actuating and control mechanism for controlling the agitating means, for expanding the diapragm tofiush wash water from the tub,'for admitting rinse watenand for thereafter reexpanding the diaphragm suiciently to dry the articles.

12. In a washing machine, a tub; means for admitting water to the tub for washing articles and for rinsing the articles 'being washed, the washing and the rinsing being respectively carried out in the presence of a free body of liquid maintained in the tub; a drain outlet for the tub located above the level of the washing water in the tub; a flexible diaphragm normally occupying a position of rest in the lower portion of the tub; actuating and control mechanism for controlling agitating means, for expanding the diaphragm to flush and remove wash water from the tub, for admitting rinse water, and for thereafter re-expanding the diaphragm sug'iciently to dry the articles; and means for agitating the articles and water in the tub in the course of the washing and rinsing operations and the diaphragm yexpansion and re-expansion.

ein

13. In a washing machine, a tub; means forv washing and the rinsing being respectively carried out in the presence of a free body of liquid maintained in the tub; m'eans for aqitating the articles and water in thetub during washing. flushing and rinsing operations; a drain outlet for the tub located above the level of the washing water in the tub,- a flexible diaphragm normally occupying a position of rest in theV tub; actuating and control mechanism for controlling the agitating means, for' expanding the diaphragm to flush and remove wash water from the tub,for admitting rinse water to the tub in such quantity as to cause kit to overflow the tub. and for thereafter re-erpanding the diaphragm to flush rinse water from the tub and sufficiently to dry the articles.

14. In a washing machine, a tub; means for admitting water to the tub for washing articles and for rinsing the articles being washed, the washing and the rinsing being respectively'carried out in the presence ofE a free body of liquid maintained in the tub; a drain outlet in the upper part of the tama-diaphragm normally occupying a position of rest in the lower portion of the tub; actuating and control mechanism for controlling agitating means, for raising the diaphragm to flush-and remove wash water from the tub, for admitting rinse water to the tub in such quantity as to cause'y it to overflow the tub. and for again raising the diaphragm sulciently to dry the articles; and means for agitating the articles and water in the tub in the course of the washing, rinsing and diaphragm raising operations.

1.5. In a washing machine, a tub, means for admitting water to the tub for washing and also for rinsing articles in the tub, a drain outlet in the top of the tub, meansffor agitating the articles and water in the tub; a flexible diaphragm mounted in and normally "occupying a contracted position in the tub, meansfor expanding the diaphragm to discharge wash water and also rinse water through said outlet, the diaphragm returning to its contracted position after being expanded, and actuating and control mechanisms for operating the agitating means in the coarse of said washing and rinsing and diaphragm operations, for expanding the ,diaphragm to remove substantially all of the wash water, for admitting rinse water as the Idiaphragm contracts, and for thereafter expanding the diaphragm so as to compress the articles to dry the same.

16. In a washing machine, an oscillatable tub. means for admitting water to the tub for washing and also for rinsingarticles in the tub, a

ing and rinsing and diaphragm operations, for' raising the diaphragm to remove substantially all ofthe wash water, for admitting rinse water as the diaphragm contracts, and for thereafter raising the diaphragm so as to Acompress the articlesv to dry the same.

75 17. In a washing machine, a substantially l spherical tub, means tub for washing and also for rinsing articles in the tub, a drain outlet inthe upperpart of the tub, means for agitating the articles and water in the tub including means for oscillating the for admitting water to the tub and baffle means egective in the upper and lower portions of the tub, a flexible diaphragm mounted in and normally occupying a contracted position in the tub, means for expanding the diaphragm to discharge -wash water and also rinse water through said outlet, the diaphragm returning to its contracted position after belngerpanded, and actuating and control mechanism i .for oscillating said tub in the course of said washing and rinsing and diaphragm operations,`

for expanding the diaphragm to remove substantially all of the wash water, for'admitting rinse water as the diaphragm contracts and in a guantity sufficient to cause and continue an overflow ofwater as said `agitation continues, and for thereafter expanding the diaphragm so as to compress the articles to dry the same.

18,. In a washing machine, a tub,- vmeans for admitting water to the tub for washing and also for rinsing articles in the tub, a drain outlet in the upper part of the tub, means for agitating the articles and water in the tub, a flexible diamounted in and normally occupying a contracted position in the tub, means for es:- panding the diaphragm to discharge wash water and also rinse water through said outlet, the diaphragm returning to its contracted position after being expanded, and actuating and automatically .operating control mechanism for operating the agitating means in the course of said'washing and rinsing and diaphragm operations, for empanding the diaphragm toremove substantially 'all of the wash water after a predetermined washing period, for admitting yrinse water as the diaphragm contracts and thereafter in suglcient quantity to overflow the tub as the rinsing progresses for a predetermined period, and for therev after expanding the diaphragmso as to compress the articles to dry the same.

19. In a washing machine, a tub, a water inlet to the tub, means for admitting water to wash clothes and also toy rinse clothes in the tub. means for agitating clothes and water in the tub, a water outlet in the upper part of the tub. a hydraulically operated member mounted in the tub, a valve controlled inlet for admitting fluid under pressure to' .cause said member' to contract the "space occupied by the clothes in the tub, and

' control mechanism for the agitating means, the

water means and the fluid valve'. so constructed and arranged as to admit fluid to cause said member to contract the space occupied by the clothes nin the tub so as todischame wash water from space occupied by the clothes inthe tub, and control mechanism for the agitating means, the water means and the fluid valve, so constructed and arranged as to admit fluid to cause said member to contract the space occupied by the clothes in the tub so as to discharge wash water from the tub and to thereafter compress the clothes against the' tub adjacent the water outlet to remove substantially all the-wash water therefrom, to thereafter admit rinsing water to the tub in such quantity as to cause it to overflow from the tub, and to thereafter admit fluid to cause said member to contract the space occupied by the clothes' in the tub sa as to remove the rinse water and to com- `press the clothes to dry the same, said control the tub, a water outlet in the upper part of the tub, a diaphragm mounted in the tub. a valve controlled inlet for admitting fluid under pressure behind said diaphragm to. cause the same to contract the space occupied by the clothes in the tub, control mechanism for the water means and the fluid valve, soconstructed and arranged as to admit fluid behind the diaphragm to cause'the same to contract the space occupied by the clothes in the tub so as to discharge wash water from the tub and to thereafter compress the clothes against the tub adjacent the water outlet to remove substantially all the wash water therefrom, to thereafter admit rinsing water to the tub in such quantity as to cause it to overflow from the tub during the rinsing operation, and to thereafter admit fluid behind the diaphragm to cause the same to contract thespace occupied by the clothes in the tub so as to remove rinse water and to comthe tub and to thereafter compress the clothes against the tub :adjacent the water outlet to remove substantially all the wash water therefrom, to thereafter admit rinsing water to the tub, and to thereafter admit fluid to cause said member to contract the space occupied by the clothes in the tub so as to remove the rinse water and to compress. the clothes to dry the same, and

actuating mechanism operating said agitating means during the washing and rinsing and the contracting operations of said member.

Z0. In a washing machine, a tub, a water inlet to the tub, means for admitting water to wash clothes and also to rinse clothes in the tub, means for agitating clothes and water in the tub, a water outlet in the upper part of the tub, a hydraulically operated member mounted in the tub, a

press the clothes to dry the same.

.22.v ln awashing machine, a substantiallyspherical tub, agitating means mounted in the tub, a water inlet in the upper part of the tub, means for admitting water to wash clothes and also to rinse clothes in the tub, means for oscillating the tub to agitate clothes and water in the tub, a water outlet in the upper part of the tub, a flexible diaphragm mounted in the lower portion of the tub, a-valve controlled inlet for admitting fluid ,therefrom, to thereafter admit rinsing water to the tub in such quantity as to cause it to overflow from the tub during the rinsing operation, to stop the flow of rinse water, and to thereafter admit fluid behind the diaphragm to raise the same so as to remove the rinse water and to compress the clothes to dry the same, the tub being oscillated to render the agitating means egectivev during the washing and rinsing operations and as l 25 the diaphragm is being raised, and the -control mechanism stopping the oscillation of the tub subsequent to the removal of the rinse water.

23. InY a` washing machine, a substantially spherical tub,.agitating means mounted in the tub, a water inlet in the upper Part of the tub, means 4for admitting water to wash clothes and also to rinse clothes in the tub, means for oscillating the tub to agitate clothes and water in the tuba\water outlet in the upper part of the tub, a nexible diaphragm mounted in the lower portion of the tub. a valve controlled inlet for admitting fluid under pressure behind said diaphragm to raise the'same in the tub, and automatic sequential control mechanism for the agithe tub for discharge of fluid from said opening.

thereafter dry the clothes, and means to stop the machine.

26.' A washing, rinsing and drying machine having, in combination, a tub with agitating means above and below the horizontal center line of the tub and an opening in the upper part of during washing, rinsingl and flushing operations,

means supporting said tub for movement, means for moving said tub so as to agitate the materials and water in the tub during washing, rinsing and flushing operations, means for supplying washing fluid to the tub, means in said tub arranged tating means, the water means and the fluid valve so constructed and arranged as to admit fluid behind the diaphragm to raise the -same so as to discharge wash water from the tub and to thereafter compress the clothes against the tub adfacent the water outlet to remove substantially all the wash water therefrom, to thereafter admit rinsing water to the tub in such quantity as to cause it .to overflow from the tub .during the rinsing operation, tostop the flow of rinse water, and to :thereafter admit fluid behind the diaphragm to raise the same so as to remove the rinse water and to compress the clothes to dry the same. the tub being oscillated to render th'e agitating means eective during the washing and rinsingl operations and as the diaphragm is being raised, 4and the control mechanism including means for holding the clothes under the higher compression pressures for a` sustained period and for thereafter automatically releasing said pressure fluid, and stopping the oscillation of the tub subsequent to the removal of the rinse water.

24. In a washing machine, a tub, means for admitting water to the tub for washing andfor rinsing the clothes, a water outlet in the upper part ofthe tub, means for agitating clothes and water in the tub, a means for flushing and compressing the clothes to remove the water from the clothes, and actuating and control mechanism for subsequently operating said flushing and drying means to cause flushing while said .agitation continues and continuing the action 'of the flushing and drying means to remove wash water from the clothes, stopping the action of the flushing and drying means, starting the admission of rinse water, reviving agitation of the clothes, stopping the rinsing action, re-starting the operation of the flushing and drying means to remove rinse water while continuing agitation of the clothes and continuing such operation to dry the clothes, and stopping the agitating means.

25. A washing, rinsing and drying machine having, in combination, a tub with agitating means above and below the horizontal center line of the tub and an opening in the upper part of to contract the space in the tub so as to flush washing fluid from the tub through said opening and to extract fluid from the clothes and through said opening, means for supplying rinse fluid to the tub after said extraction, means for again actuating the means to contract the space in the tub to flush rinse fluid from the tub through said opening and to thereafter dry the clothes, and means to stop the machine.

27. A washing, rinsing and extracting ma- -chine having in combination a tub adapted to contain clothes and a cleaning fluid and to agitate the clothes and fluid to perform a washing operation when the fluid is agitated and having a fluid discharge opening in `the top thereof through which fluid is flushed, means for movably supporting said tub, means for movingl said tubduring washing andl rinsing operations andv l tated in the fluid by the movement of the tub tol the tub for discharge of fluid from said opening during washing, rinsing and flushing operations,

moved for extracting fluid from the clothes and through said opening, means for supplying rinse fluid' to the tub after said extraction, means for again moving said movable means to flush rinse fluid from the tub through said opening and to carry away foreign matter from said clothes, means for flushing rinsing fluid from the tub and for then extracting fluid from the clothes through said top opening to dry the clothes, and means for egecting sequential Operation of the machine to obtain a cycle comprising washing, flushing, extractigg, rinsing, flushing and drying in the order name 28. A machine as'deflned in claim 27 wherein the means for flushing and extracting comprism a flexible member having itsperipheral edge fastened in fluid-tight relation with the tub so as to divide the tub into an upper washing com- -partment and a lower pressurechamber and nor- 'cassation ofcloinels and water in ine mb, mounting the tub for oscillation about a vertical axis, driving means for oscillating said tub, means for suppyling wash and rinse water to said tub, a diaphragm shaped to conform somewhat to the 76 lower portion of said tub and to normally overlie 

